Pulling pints for late afternoon customers, with Northern Soul music in the background, is bar manager Gayle Davies.
Despite the chill in the air, the Northern Whisper bar – linked to the Rossendale-based Northern Whisper Brewing Company – is doing a steady trade. The micro-pub does well from its location – next to Rawtenstall Market – but change is afoot.
The market’s redevelopment is set to start soon with the phased relocation of retail and food businesses to the new Town Square – while work takes place.
The brewery was created by brothers Barney and Josh Vines and Carmelo Pillitteri, who had been brewing for a local restaurant, Nino’s. It produces beers in nearby Cloughfold with names like Oppenchops, Beltie, Yammerhouse, Chinwag, Soft Mick, Rossendale Lager and Bochold, named after the area’s German twin town. The bar is staying put while the market stalls move temporarily.
“Rawtenstall Market is important to our business and we have a good relationship with it and individual traders,” says Gayle. “We benefit from market trade and it benefits from us being here.”
‘The revamp is important’
Rawtenstall Northern Whisper bar manager Gayle Davies
(Image: Robbie MacDonald LDRS)
Gayle adds: “The market revamp is an important investment for Rawtenstall and Rossendale. There’s been lots of news about it. I know some traders didn’t want to go inside with the changes but, overall, I think it’s a positive move. The market definitely needs some investment and, hopefully, the changes will be good.
“We know the temporary relocation to the Town Square is coming up. It remains to be seen how that affects our bar. But the square is not far away and we’re confident we have good customers who will continue coming here. We have a good reputation and people spread the word about us.
“Northern Whisper has lots of Rossendale links. The beers are named after local places. This tap room bar is a distinctive, friendly place with a wide customer-base. Rossendale is a great place and this is the best bar – naturally!”
Bar manager Gayle Davies at the Northern Whisper tap room in Rawtenstall
(Image: Robbie MacDonald LDRS)
Funding boost welcome
The market hall’s £4million redevelopment is linked to £17million in Levelling-Up funds agreed for various projects in the borough between Rossendale Council and the previous Conservative government.
A new indoor food hall will tables and seating will be created, including new utilities, toilets and ventilation systems, and outdoor areas will be redesigned and landscaped. Food is seen as key for the future and events such as ‘Foodie Fridays’ have been popular there.
Plans to move outdoor food stalls inside the hall and set up a central bar promoted some controversy last year. But since then, Rossendale Council says there is a better understanding between all sides. Last week, the stall relocation plans were approved by the council’s cabinet, including licensing, events and promotional plans for the temporary site.
‘Some changes can be good’
Rawtenstall Market food trader Kadir Aktay
(Image: Robbie MacDonald LDRS)
Working this week at the market was Kadir Aktay, who runs a Turkish food cafe. The menu includes stews, meat and vegan meatballs, stuffed olives, vine leaves, risotto, falafel, hummus, tzatziki and salads. Kadir has been at the market for a year-and-a-half and based outside for nine months. In the past, he worked in a local restaurant.
He said: “There has been some discussion about the market changes. Some traders were unhappy with plans to move them inside when the hall is refurbished. They wanted to stay outside. And some customers didn’t want change either.
“But I think some changes could be good for the market. Shopping habits have changed so much over the years, with big shopping centres and now on-line shopping. This market has been pretty traditional in the past but I think change could be good.
Rawtenstall Market trader Kadir Aktay
(Image: Robbie MacDonald LDRS)
“Soon, traders will be moving to the Town Square to the temporary site. Food businesses like us will have kitchen-type kiosks and retail traders will have their own kiosks too. I think Town Square is a good site. It’s near the bus station and everybody will be passing by.
“Once the market hall is refurbished, we will come back and go inside. I think I’ll prefer being inside because it will be a food hall environment, a bit like Altrincham Market. I think it’ll be positive. The current market hall is old. The electric and water supply is not great. There is currently no heating. My current stall outside has insulation and heating but it can still be cold.”
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